wipe

1 of 2

verb

ˈwīp 

wiped; wiping

transitive verb

1

a

: to rub with or as if with something soft for cleaning

b

: to clean or dry by rubbing

c

: to draw, pass, or move for or as if for rubbing or cleaning

wiped his hand across his brow

2

a

: to remove by or as if by rubbing

wipe the spots off the glass

b

: to expunge completely

wipe from memory the gruesome scenes

—Amer. Guide Series: Del.

3

: to spread by or as if by wiping

intransitive verb

: to make a motion of or as if of wiping something

wipe

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: blow, strike

b

: jeer, gibe

2

a

: an act or instance of wiping

b

: a transition from one scene or picture to another (as in movies or television) made by a line moving across the screen

3

: something (such as a towel) used for wiping

Phrases

wipe one's boots on

: to treat with indignity

wipe the floor with or wipe the ground with

: to defeat decisively

Examples of wipe in a Sentence

Verb

Would you wipe the dishes?

She wiped her eyes with a tissue.

We were wiping the spots from the wine glasses.

He wiped his hand across his forehead.

Noun

With a wipe, the spill was gone.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

If the amount of soap scum is on the lighter side, combine two parts vinegar and one part dish soap in a spray bottle, apply it to the area, and then wipe clean after 15 minutes. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2024

Now, many state flagship universities have wiped DEI from their websites and training. —Wilson Bailey, National Review, 2 Nov. 2024

Noun

Goods include cases of water, toiletries, baby formula, diapers, wipes, blankets, clothes, batteries flashlights and more. —Katie Peralta Soloff, Axios, 29 Sep. 2024

Then there’s the final patch of the year that seems likely to be the next wipe patch. —Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English wipen, from Old English wīpian; akin to Old High German wīfan to wind around, Latin vibrare to brandish, and probably to Old Norse veipa to be in movement, Sanskrit vepate it trembles

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing wipe

• baby wipe
• wipe away
• wipe down
• wipe off
• wipe one's feet
• wipe out
• wipe (someone or something) off the face of the earth
• wipe (someone or something) off the map
• wipe (something) clean
• wipe that smile off your face
• wipe that smirk off your face
• wipe the grin off his face
• wipe the slate clean
• wipe the smile off one's face
• wipe up

Kids Definition

wipe

1 of 2 verb

ˈwīp 

wiped; wiping

1

: to clean or dry by rubbing

wipe dishes

2

: to remove by or as if by rubbing

wipe away tears

3

: to pass or draw over a surface

wiped my hand across my forehead

wiper noun

wipe

2 of 2 noun

1

: an act or instance of wiping

2

: something used for wiping